SHIMLA-07 March, 2026
H.P. Cabinet Decisions
The State Cabinet, in its meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu decided to invite objections and suggestions from the general public on the proposed amendments to Rules 28, 87, 88 and 89 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Elections) Rules, 1994. The proposed amendments provide that Panchayats which have remained reserved continuously for two consecutive terms since the base year 2010 will not be reserved in the forthcoming Panchayat elections.
It also approved amendments to the Social Security Pension Rules, 2010 by redefining the term ‘Destitute’ in a clearer manner and simplifying the certification process for availing benefits. Under the revised provisions, women abandoned by their husbands, who are not living with them and have no independent source of income, will be considered as destitute women.
The Cabinet decided to extend 40 percent of the Local Area Development Fund under Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy for providing financial assistance to children of the State.
It also gave its nod to cancel 15 hydroelectric projects that failed to be commissioned despite availing the benefit of the one-time amnesty scheme.
The Cabinet decided to allot the 10 MW Small Hydro Electric Project at Pandoh to the Bhakra Beas Management Board subject to return of the unused land by the BBMB to the State Government. The State Government will receive 13 percent free power and 5 percent power as its share from BBMB.
It further approved the Operation and Maintenance Policy for handing over in-village infrastructure of both Single Village Schemes and Multi Village Schemes to Gram Panchayats.
The Cabinet approved the constitution of the Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited at Dhagwar comprising milk producers from the districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba and Una. Additionally, the National Dairy Development Board will be engaged as the Administrator for the management and operation of the Dhagwar Milk Processing Plant.
It also approved the enhancement of Heli-Taxi services on the Chandigarh-Shimla-Chandigarh route from three sorties to twelve sorties per week, with flights to be operated twice daily for six days a week. The State Government will provide viability gap funding to support the operation.
It decided to release salary of outsourced employees engaged under Jal Jeevan Mission in Jal Shakti Vibhag from the State resources as the Government of India has not released funds under Jal Jeevan Mission.
The Cabinet gave its approval to fill up 60 Junior Assistant Professors in various Government Engineering and Pharmacy Colleges in the department of Technical Education.
It gave its nod to fill up two posts of Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies and 30 posts of Inspector Cooperative Societies in the department of Cooperation.
It decided to fill up 16 posts of coaches in the Sports Hostels in Education Department.
The Cabinet decided to fill up three posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in Information and Public Relations Department.
Approval was given to increase the bed capacity of Sports Hostel in Kharidi, district Hamirpur to 100 beds. Additionally, it was also decided to name as State level Sports Centre of Excellence.
The Cabinet gave its nod to create Sub Divisional Police Office at Gagret in Una district along-with creation and filling up of requisite posts.
It gave its approval to transfer the land in Mauja Kuftu , Tehsil Kotkhai, district Shimla in favour of Ministry of Education for opening New Kendriya Vidyalaya at Kotkhai.
It also put its seal to transfer the land in Mauja Haripur Tohana, tehsil Poanta Sahib, district Sirmaur in favour of Ministry of Education for opening new Kendriya Vidyalaya at Paonta Sahib.
The Cabinet decided to upgrade Police Post Kotla to Police Station in Police District Nurpur along with the creation and filling up of requisite posts.
It decided to upgrade Fire Post, Tahliwal in Una district to Sub Fire Station alongwith creation and filling of requisite posts.
It gave its nod to appoint the remaining seven candidates selected for the post of Patwari in 2016 for Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts against vacant posts.
The Cabinet also gave its consent to grant an 80-year lease in favour of the HIMUDA by amending Rule 7 of the Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, 2013, which earlier provided that the State Government shall not grant lease of land for a period exceeding 40 years.
It decided to regularise the services of part-time water carriers working in the Education Department in district Sirmaur who have completed 11 years of service (seven years as part-time water carriers and four years as daily wagers) as on 31.03.2025.
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Government making sustained efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness: Revenue Minister
A two-day State-Level Workshop on “Climate Change and disaster Risk Resilience: Himalayan Future-Lessons, Gaps, and Policy Pathways for Himachal Pradesh” concluded today at the Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (MSHIPA) Shimla. Revenue, Horticulture, Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi was the chief guest on the occasion. The two days workshop was organized in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).
The Minister in his address, highlighted the growing impact of climate change on Himalayan states, particularly on sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, infrastructure and livelihoods. He emphasized the state government’s efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, early warning systems and resilient infrastructure to address increasing climate and disaster risks.
He stated that the Government of Himachal Pradesh was making sustained efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve early warning systems and develop resilient infrastructure to cope with the increasing risks posed by climate change and natural disasters.
D.C. Rana Special Secretary Revenue stressed the need for stronger institutional preparedness, improved inter-departmental coordination and scientific approaches to disaster risk reduction. The workshop featured thematic sessions on climate change adaptation, disaster risk assessment, early warning systems and resilient infrastructure in Himalayan regions. Experts from national and state institutions including National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) India Meteorological Department (IMD) Geological Survey of India (GSI) National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) Roorkee and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) delivered presentations on disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, hazard monitoring, and infrastructure safety in Himalayan regions.
Discussions focused on lessons from recent disasters in Himachal Pradesh, particularly the events of 2023 and 2025. Experts highlighted the importance of integrated risk assessment, resilient reconstruction and improved preparedness, drawing on findings from Post Disaster Needs Assessments conducted in the state.
The workshop concluded with a valedictory address by K. K. Pant, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), Government of Himachal Pradesh, who stressed the importance of scientific planning, institutional coordination, and community participation in building climate and disaster resilience in Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh.
The event was also attended by Rupali Thakur, Director, MSHIPA, along with policymakers, experts, researchers, and students from institutions including Himachal Pradesh University and Punjab University.
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Amendments to BPL selection criteria and extension of Phase-V survey applications
In a significant move to liberalize the inclusion criteria for families living below the poverty line, the department has announced a key amendment to the BPL guidelines dated 4th February 2026.
A spokesperson of the rural development department in a communiqué here today stated that under the revised Para (iv), families where all adult members have completed at least 50 days of work under MGNREGA in the previous financial year are now eligible for inclusion. This amendment integrates with the ongoing selection process, ensuring that applications received during Phase-I to Phase-IV, as well as fresh applications submitted by the deadline of March 12, 2026, will be considered under these updated categories.
Following the completion of the verification process, the Block Level Committee will notify and publish the final list for Phase-V (Fifth Phase) by March 15, 2026. He further said that all actions, lists and decisions finalized during the first four phases remain unchanged and fully valid. Apart from the revised inclusion-exclusion criteria specifically for Phase-V, all other procedural aspects regarding verification, approval, appeals and record maintenance will continue to be governed by the provisions laid out in the letter dated March 19, 2025.
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State-Level road safety workshop organized
A state-level road safety workshop was organized by the Lead Agency/Road Safety Cell of the Transport Department, Himachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) at IIT Madras.
The speakers emphasized that road safety was not limited to merely following traffic rules, but is a shared responsibility of everyone. They highlighted that a small amount of caution and awareness can help save many precious lives.
Participants from different age groups were invited to create short films on the theme of road safety. A selected short film from the festival was also screened during the event.
Subsequently, 24 participants who performed exceptionally well in the festival were felicitated, including four winners and twenty consolation prize recipients. Director Transport, Neeraj Kumar who presided over the function presented the awards to the participants and encouraged them for their efforts.
During the workshop, the IIT Madras team shared valuable insights on various aspects of road safety, strategies for roads in hilly regions, and new ideas and frameworks for creating safer roads. Discussions were also held on the draft vision for road safety in Himachal Pradesh.
At the conclusion of the program, certificates were distributed to the participants.
Present on the occasion were Additional Transport Commissioner Lead Agency/Road Safety S.D. Negi, Head of CoERS IIT Madras Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramaniam, officials from the Transport Department and representatives from various departments.